Health Issues in the Community (HIIC) is a course that helps people understand what affects their health and the health of their communities. 

Run by tutors across Scotland, HIIC supports people of all ages (youth pack available) to develop the skills and knowledge to address health issues using community development approaches. 

Through the course participants gain a broad understanding of the social model of health, health inequalities, power & participation and community development approaches in health – and how they can use these to make change happen in their communities.

This website includes information about HIIC, how to become a Tutor, the HIIC Tutor Training Pack and other resources.

HIIC is managed by CHEX - The Community Health Exchange.

Get involved in HIIC

Becoming a tutor

Our two-day tutor training course will give you everything you need to get started delivering HIIC in your community.

Find out more

Already a tutor?

This website features the downloadable HIIC pack, useful resources and tools to help you register your courses.

View the HIIC Tutor Hub

HIIC in your organisation

HIIC is popular within organisations, helping staff upskill and support the people they work with. We offer commissioned training and support.

Find out more

HIIC in Action
Popular Education, Health Inequalities and Resistance to Stigma - New article
Popular Education, Health Inequalities and Resistance to Stigma - New article

Jane Jones, author of the Health Issues in the Community course and Community Activist has written a new article which explores the role of tackling health inequalities using popular education.

Student writings show what life is really like living in poverty
Student writings show what life is really like living in poverty

A new, powerful collection of writing has highlighted the lived experiences of people living with, and tackling, poverty in their communities.

Young people tackle hygiene poverty in Castlemilk
Young people tackle hygiene poverty in Castlemilk

An inspiring conversation with the wonderful Health Issues in the Community (HIIC) tutor Kirsty Chapman about her current HIIC youth group, hygiene poverty and the rippling effect of one kind gesture.

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New guide to support HIIC tutors online

Guidance on how to deliver HIIC using an online approach.

Using online tools for HIIC
Using online tools for HIIC

Nearly two months later Fiona Douglas a HIIC tutor from NHS Lanarkshire, keeps us in the loop with an update on how her group are getting with using online tools.

HIIC gets digital
HIIC gets digital

An example of how HIIC tutor Fiona Douglas from NHS Lanarkshire has changed her delivery amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Taking a community development journey through HIIC
Taking a community development journey through HIIC

As SCDC (HIIC’s parent organisation) marks 10 years as an independent organisation, Kate McHendry shares reflections on managing the HIIC course.

Our HIIC Journey
Our HIIC Journey

The HIIC group who meet at Douglas Community Centre share their HIIC journey and the impact is has had on their lives so far in this short video.

Poverty: Hidden Shame resource pack
Poverty: Hidden Shame resource pack

This youth-led documentary film “Poverty: Our Hidden Shame?” was short-listed at BAFTA for the AHRC Inspiration Award - it's now been developed into a resource using Health Issues in the Community.

HIIC Part 2 in Fife
HIIC Part 2 in Fife

We recently had the pleasure of seeing the live performance of two Part 2 Health Issues in Community groups from Rosyth covering local community issues.